Republic of Ireland V Greece - Friday, 13th October 2023 - Euro 2024 Qualifier

[CraftyToePoke]

Just seen on another thread that Egan is out, joining Coleman so giving the upcoming games a thread.

When is the squad due ?
Do people think Moran has done enough to get in & will Kenny be brave at this stage & pick him ? He might as it would suit his narrative to do so.
Any other new faces likely ?

[tetsujin1979]

Squad to be announced tomorrow, along with the U21 squad
1708798992296124553

[Stuttgart88]

Moran has to be in it imho.

Hopefully Johnston is back, and I think Szmodics and Sykes should be upgraded into the matchday squad.

[elatedscum]

Goalkeepers - Kelleher, Bazunu, Travers with O'Leary as a back-up

Centre-halves - Collins and Duffy will definitely be there. O'Shea is presumably injured but himself and Omobamidele haven't made a squad since the last camp, which makes them doubts. Scales is pretty likely to make it, Lenihan too (I'd have my reservations there). If both O'Shea and Andy don't make it, you're missing 1 or 2 players. The pool in the championship is McNally, McGuinness, McLoughlin, Dunne, Clarke-Salter, of which, McLoughlin was the most recent to get a nod and maybe McGuinness and McNally have a bit more potential. Down the leagues, you've got Cashin, Lawal, McCarthy, Raggett, Masterson, McEntee - who have been on the radar in one way or another, but can't see him going that deep. You've also got Jake O'Brien making his debut for Lyon but surely it's too soon for him.

Wing backs - Doherty, Ebosele, McClean and Manning seem the obvious choices. Stevens didn't look up to it in the last camp.

Deep midfielders - Cullen, Molumby, Hendrick. We're probably missing a 4th player there but there's literally no one

Attacking midfielders - Knight, Smallbone, Browne, McGrath. Can't see any obviously dropping down. I think all of Szmodzics, Moran, Taylor, Azaz, Sykes and Ronan have made claims for a call-up and I think Sammy is the most likely to get a call.

Wingers - Ogbene is in, Johnstone is presumably injured (he's back training, could be on the bench tonight), along with O'Dowda who is definitely out. Connolly you'd expect makes it. Robinson is just returning from injury so i'd doubt it but he's probably the next in line. Could also include Sykes here Otherwise you're looking down the leagues or over at LOI

Strikers - Ferguson makes it, Idah too. Parrott probably comes into the squad after starting to make an impact in the Netherlands. Will Keane is just returning from the injury he got against France, so doubt he makes it.

My squad would be:

Kelleher
Bazunu
Travers
-
Doherty
Ebosele
-
Duffy
Collins
Omobamidele
Scales
McGuinness (obviously if O'Shea is fit...)
-
McClean
Manning
-
Cullen
Molumby
Hendrick
-
Knight
Smallbone
Browne
McGrath
Szmodzics
Moran
Sykes
-
Ogbene
Connolly
Johnstone if fit, Robinson if not
-
Ferguson
Idah
Parrott

It's very heavy with a variety of attacking midfielders - but what can you do....

[CraftyToePoke]

I think Jimmy Dunne is a long term injury at the moment, no sign of him recently at QPR & listed injured. Of the other options if needed, I would be surprised if our northern brothers weren't holding a door open for McGuinness in the background & he is playing well this season. Maybe his turn for a nod.

[Razors left peg]

One outside shout that jumps to mind is Anselmo Garcia McNulty. Has been playing regularly and at left back too as far as I know.

For me this is Kennys last chance to build back a little bit of good will before he leaves. Deadwood needs to be gone, and replaced with lads who have a bigger long term upside. There should be no room for Hendrick, McClean, McGrath, Duffy, Egan (who I know is injured) and I'd even consider dropping Doherty considering hes not playing games. In all these players places younger players who are actually playing for their clubs should come in. Moran, Garcia McNulty, Azaz, McNally, Ebosele all should be considered for the starting team never mind just being in the squad.

It might be early for some of the players I mentioned, but the group is dead and by this time next year we will be delighted that some of these lads will have played some competitive games and we can look back and give Kenny credit for that... its all he has left

[seanfhear]

Goalkeepers - Kelleher, Bazunu, Travers with O'Leary as a back-up

Centre-halves - Collins and Duffy will definitely be there. O'Shea is presumably injured but himself and Omobamidele haven't made a squad since the last camp, which makes them doubts. Scales is pretty likely to make it, Lenihan too (I'd have my reservations there). If both O'Shea and Andy don't make it, you're missing 1 or 2 players. The pool in the championship is McNally, McGuinness, McLoughlin, Dunne, Clarke-Salter, of which, McLoughlin was the most recent to get a nod and maybe McGuinness and McNally have a bit more potential. Down the leagues, you've got Cashin, Lawal, McCarthy, Raggett, Masterson, McEntee - who have been on the radar in one way or another, but can't see him going that deep. You've also got Jake O'Brien making his debut for Lyon but surely it's too soon for him.

Wing backs - Doherty, Ebosele, McClean and Manning seem the obvious choices. Stevens didn't look up to it in the last camp.

Deep midfielders - Cullen, Molumby, Hendrick. We're probably missing a 4th player there but there's literally no one

Attacking midfielders - Knight, Smallbone, Browne, McGrath. Can't see any obviously dropping down. I think all of Szmodzics, Moran, Taylor, Azaz, Sykes and Ronan have made claims for a call-up and I think Sammy is the most likely to get a call.

Wingers - Ogbene is in, Johnstone is presumably injured (he's back training, could be on the bench tonight), along with O'Dowda who is definitely out. Connolly you'd expect makes it. Robinson is just returning from injury so i'd doubt it but he's probably the next in line. Could also include Sykes here Otherwise you're looking down the leagues or over at LOI

Strikers - Ferguson makes it, Idah too. Parrott probably comes into the squad after starting to make an impact in the Netherlands. Will Keane is just returning from the injury he got against France, so doubt he makes it.

My squad would be:

Kelleher
Bazunu
Travers
-
Doherty
Ebosele
-
Duffy
Collins
Omobamidele
Scales
McGuinness (obviously if O'Shea is fit...)
-
McClean
Manning
-
Cullen
Molumby
Hendrick
-
Knight
Smallbone
Browne
McGrath
Szmodzics
Moran
Sykes
-
Ogbene
Connolly
Johnstone if fit, Robinson if not
-
Ferguson
Idah
Parrott

It's very heavy with a variety of attacking midfielders - but what can you do....
Attack !

[CraftyToePoke]

Idah had a character building miss tonight, won't be feeling great after it. That has to go in.

https://twitter.com/MB52NCFC/status/1709665181368770561?t=tVb1kHkTtQNjVe-24Zg5aw&s=19

[seanfhear]

Maybe time to try him as a defender ~ Maybe another Centre-Back.

[tetsujin1979]

Squad announced. Pretty inexperienced - only one player over 50 caps, averaging 15 a head
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No Kelleher, no Parrott, and I'd expect Moran to be in the U21 squad announced later

[nigel-harps1954]

I don't think there can be too many complaints, all being said. Perhaps there'll be the usual about Szmodics, and I don't see what Callum Robinson adds, but otherwise, it's much as expected. Kelleher is probably a bit of a surprise, but the other three are all playing first choice for their clubs, and possibly a nod to Kelleher that he needs to be doing the same.

[Fixer82]

Kelleher injured apparently.
McClean not in squad though he said his last appearance will be V NZ

[SkStu]

Kelleher injured apparently.

the aul arse splinters can be torture alright... (joke, joke, pool fans, chill)

[Stuttgart88]

I'd have had Szmodics and Moran in myself. McGrath and Smallbone are lucky. I'm glad Johnston is back and I hope Sykes actually sees some action.

Kelleher seems a bit fragile. Was he on the bench at Spurs?

Scales has made himself unomittable and his form and style of play suggest he should be starting. Left sided third CB seems made for him. I just don't see O'Shea, for example, using the ball as well. Omobamidele maybe. I thought he was injured? Omobamidele, Collins, Scales should be well capable of playing Kennyball from the back.

Robinson's a funny one. The best version of him is a good asset for us. The 7/10 version of him doesn't offer much.

[SkStu]

I like having Sykes in there - versatile and having a great season so far. I think Robinson is in there as he is similarly versatile across the front line. I have no idea what is going on with Szmodics and wish this would be asked and addressed as it seems a bit crazy. Moran must be in line for a call up too, definitely by the time November rolls around and I think it is time to punt McGrath to make room for either. Maybe a case for Azaz too. Hopefully they will all get some time in November...

All in all, it kind of picks itself now though, ho hum... we are woefully short of proven quality in the wing back positions. It used to be where we were spoilt for talent (FB more so).

[CraftyToePoke]

Kelleher seems a bit fragile. Was he on the bench at Spurs?

He was fit and available Saturday, yes, on their bench. More info there would be good.

[elatedscum]

In the press conference, Kenny said he was supposed to play tonight and said that in training yesterday there was a collision and he had to get 12 (or 10?) stitches on his knee.

And because it’s on a joint, if you play the stitches keep reopening- so you have to rest it

[backstothewall]

---------------- Bazunu --------------
-------- Collins Duffy Scales --------
Ebosele Cullen Smallbone Doherty
---- Ogbene Ferguson Robinson ----

That's how I would play. I quite like Robinson. I don't really get why other people don't seem to like him.

I find it strange that we're only calling up 2 full backs. Doherty can play on either side , but it seems a little bit odd to be honest

[SkStu]

I like Robinson too but he does blow a bit hot and cold, as Stutts points out.

Sykes can cover RWB, as can Browne, which means Doherty is added coverage on the left for Manning and Scales. Ebosele can theoretically do a job on the left too, used to get moved across to the left quite often when playing for Derby. None of that is ideal, just pointing out there are some options.

[elatedscum]

Weirdly the examiner reported last night that Jake O’Brien was likely to get a call up and BBC text says he has been called up…

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67017953

[tetsujin1979]

Weirdly the examiner reported last night that Jake O’Brien was likely to get a call up and BBC text says he has been called up…

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67017953
What's really weird is that he's not in the squad list at the bottom of the page, probably copied from somewhere

[weldoninhio]

Kelleher injured apparently.
McClean not in squad though he said his last appearance will be V NZ

No mention of an injury on Liverpool's injured list for tonights game.

https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/liverpools-injury-list-suspensions-and-availability

Edit: Just seen it's happened in the last few hours.

[Stuttgart88]

Perhaps there'll be the usual about SzmodicsThere's more SS in Dublin 4 private schools.

[Razors left peg]

I had a whole rant written about the recall of Robinson while others omitted, but I deleted it cos honestly whats the fcuking point. Can we just move on to the next manager.

[tommy_c12000]

Bizarre injury history with Kelleher

[backstothewall]

I had a whole rant written about the recall of Robinson while others omitted, but I deleted it cos honestly whats the fcuking point. Can we just move on to the next manager.

I feel the same. I've tickets and I'm not travelling down. Better things to be doing than watching any more of Stephen Kenny's Ireland. I'll go to the NZ game, but that's out of respect for McClean.

[Paddy Garcia]

No surprise, but the exclusion of Szmodics is an inane act of self harm.

[SkStu]

Is he maybe not qualified for us after all? Or is he sulking or does he have beef with Kenny for being omitted in some of last years squads? It makes no sense that he doesnt get a call-up and it never seems to get raised in the media.

[seanfhear]

the aul arse splinters can be torture alright... (joke, joke, pool fans, chill)
They are probably made of some sort of composite material these days ! ! !

[Razors left peg]

Is he maybe not qualified for us after all? Or is he sulking or does he have beef with Kenny for being omitted in some of last years squads? It makes no sense that he doesnt get a call-up and it never seems to get raised in the media.

Szmodics being left out doesnt particularly bother me, he plays as a striker more than midfielder and honestly despite his goals this season I dont think hes particularly good. That said, for the life of me I cant understand why its not the 1st question at the press conference today. Its a legitimate question to ask about why hes not involved at all.

[mark12345]

Get your lazers out lads (joking) for the Greece game. Just watching AEK Athens play Ajax. Ajax win a penalty and the lad steps up. Nothing but Lazer beams in his face. Reminded me of when we played Greece a few months ago. What are FIFA going to do?

[third policeman]

We may disagree about Kelleher, but I couldn't have put it better myself. This window is an utterly unnecessary coda to the most disastrous episode in Irish football history. We'd have been better off appointing a caretaker - a literal caretaker in a brown coat with a brazier and a flat cap, than keeping Kenny in post. Not even sure I can watch it

[elatedscum]

Szmodics being left out doesnt particularly bother me, he plays as a striker more than midfielder and honestly despite his goals this season I dont think hes particularly good. That said, for the life of me I cant understand why its not the 1st question at the press conference today. Its a legitimate question to ask about why hes not involved at all.

“I’ve been to see Blackburn quite a few times. The player that has caught my attention the most has been Andy Moran,”
“He has been absolutely terrific in both Blackburn’s games last week. He was very close to being called up. Physically, when you step up to international football, as we found with some of the young players, physically it is a big jump."
“Andy Moran will definitely have a good career for Ireland, he will definitely be a senior international player, he is going to be an excellent player. He is something different, a dribbler from midfield who opens up the game and someone I’m really impressed with. Sammie Szmodics is obviously a versatile player; he played centre-forward the other day, he plays in midfield, he plays on the left. He is unfortunate."
“We just decided, really… he’s not going to start the game. I felt, not to make any changes in relation to new players coming into the squad. I know he has probably played more than, say, Callum Robinson, who has only come back recently. But Callum knows exactly how we play, we’ve three days to prepare for the game against Greece and we want to make sure that everyone knows exactly where we are. I just don’t want any more changes because we have had a lot of change.”

[third policeman]

“But Callum knows exactly how we play, we’ve three days to prepare for the game against Greece and we want to make sure that everyone knows exactly where we are. I just don’t want any more changes because we have had a lot of change.”

What an utterly idiotic quote from Kenny. Calum knows exactly how we play. We lose! And of course, let’s not have any more change, it’s all going swimmingly. This has got to be the end.

[Razors left peg]

“I’ve been to see Blackburn quite a few times. The player that has caught my attention the most has been Andy Moran,”
“He has been absolutely terrific in both Blackburn’s games last week. He was very close to being called up. Physically, when you step up to international football, as we found with some of the young players, physically it is a big jump."
“Andy Moran will definitely have a good career for Ireland, he will definitely be a senior international player, he is going to be an excellent player. He is something different, a dribbler from midfield who opens up the game and someone I’m really impressed with. Sammie Szmodics is obviously a versatile player; he played centre-forward the other day, he plays in midfield, he plays on the left. He is unfortunate."
“We just decided, really… he’s not going to start the game. I felt, not to make any changes in relation to new players coming into the squad. I know he has probably played more than, say, Callum Robinson, who has only come back recently. But Callum knows exactly how we play, we’ve three days to prepare for the game against Greece and we want to make sure that everyone knows exactly where we are. I just don’t want any more changes because we have had a lot of change.”

A rambling word salad of absolute nonsense. As Ive said numerous times I dont particularly rate Szmodics but you'd think a little bit of self preservation would come in to play for Kenny. Call him up, have a look at him in training and who knows he might be better than you think. But then to add the crap about Robinson knowing how we play etc is just b0ll0cks of the highest order. We arent prime Barcelona or Man City where its so different that an adjustment period might be needed. Just go out and play football ffs, put best players on pitch and play.

[tetsujin1979]

He doesn't actually answer the question he was asked either.

[MylesNotMiley]

What an utterly idiotic quote from Kenny. Calum knows exactly how we play. We lose! And of course, let’s not have any more change, it’s all going swimmingly. This has got to be the end.

It just goes to show that Kenny is quite happy with the way we're playing and has no plans to change.

His removal can't come soon enough IMO.

[Razors left peg]

Kenny talking earlier about Robinson knows how we play etc.... in the Dutch game Sinclair Armstrong came into squad for 1st time and yet came on the pitch when Aaron Connolly didn't. That was kinda strange in itself, but how do u then justify leaving players out and saying Robinson knows our game

[CraftyToePoke]

Kenny talking earlier about Robinson knows how we play etc.... in the Dutch game Sinclair Armstrong came into squad for 1st time and yet came on the pitch when Aaron Connolly didn't. That was kinda strange in itself, but how do u then justify leaving players out and saying Robinson knows our game

The method is hard to distinguish, and things are not going well but he seems stubborn to certain changes or evolution, even in the last chance saloon, which he is lucky to still be in, there is a reluctance to roll the dice, when he actually has nothing to lose by doing so. Hendrick was picked last time when not playing but not this time when he is playing ( I don't want Hendrick there but can't see how these decisions are made ) Parrott, he picked when things were ropey in the players career & was rewarded, but he has two from two in Holland at the moment & isn't selected. Omobamidele isn't playing or even in the Forest matchday squads, but he's in and players playing week in week out are not, McGuinness, McNally, McLoughlin. Omobamidele didn't make the previous squad and hasn't played since, Lenihan did and has played since, so what has changed ? Johnston doesn't play, Robinson does recently but hasn't scored. Szmodicz plays and scores, Moran we should be glad he's doing so well in a first loan and looking to bed him in immediately as what he does is what we struggle so badly at.

I don't see any method or consistency in how its being done. & then there's the spiel about knowing the system & how we play today, when as you say Armstrong was put straight in from the 21s V Holland.

[tetsujin1979]

Greek squad was announced on Tuesday: https://www.epo.gr/News.aspx?a_id=52919&NewsType=22
Breakdown on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece_national_football_team#Current_squad

[tommy_c12000]

Pretty bad pre international window weekend so far for the Irish. Another bad mistake by N Collins, set their defeat in motion. No goals Idah, Sinclair and Connolly. Moran only an impact sub at 4-0. Bazunu conceded a soft lob for a 1-1 draw, despite Southampton absolutely dominating. Cullen’s Burnley destroyed again, O’Shea out of favor. Ogbene’s Luton lost, he did ok though. Molumby out of west brom team at moment. Udinese draw another blank with a 0-0, Ebosele with another start in serie A, appears to have done ok didn’t set the world alight. Green shoots?

[elatedscum]

Was thinking about the squad selection and think Kenny might revert to 4-3-3 against Greece and Gibraltar. Lots of players who can play wide: Ogbene, Johnstone, Connolly, Robinson, Ebosele. Relative lack of wing backs. Also Greece really dominated us in the 5-3-2.

Something like:

Bazunu

Doherty
Collins
O’Shea/Duffy
Manning

Cullen
Molumby
Knight / Smallbone

Ogbene
Ferguson
Johnstone/Connolly/Robinson

[Razors left peg]

Pretty bad pre international window weekend so far for the Irish. Another bad mistake by N Collins, set their defeat in motion. No goals Idah, Sinclair and Connolly. Moran only an impact sub at 4-0. Bazunu conceded a soft lob for a 1-1 draw, despite Southampton absolutely dominating. Cullen’s Burnley destroyed again, O’Shea out of favor. Ogbene’s Luton lost, he did ok though. Molumby out of west brom team at moment. Udinese draw another blank with a 0-0, Ebosele with another start in serie A, appears to have done ok didn’t set the world alight. Green shoots?

Might as well stop watching so Tommy eh!

Not the best week but from a young player point of view it's been a good season to this point. With young players the weeks aren't all gonna be good

[Jolly Red Giant]

Pretty bad pre international window weekend so far for the Irish. Another bad mistake by N Collins, set their defeat in motion. No goals Idah, Sinclair and Connolly. Moran only an impact sub at 4-0. Bazunu conceded a soft lob for a 1-1 draw, despite Southampton absolutely dominating. Cullen’s Burnley destroyed again, O’Shea out of favor. Ogbene’s Luton lost, he did ok though. Molumby out of west brom team at moment. Udinese draw another blank with a 0-0, Ebosele with another start in serie A, appears to have done ok didn’t set the world alight. Green shoots?
Collins is prone to a mistake but I wouldn't blame him for that - he was stretching and couldn't get enough on it to get it out of the box. Idah actually played well for Norwich, took up good positions, made good runs and was unlucky not to get a goal. Connolly was a sub - still needs to get fully fit and Armstrong is playing in a bad QPR team that will probably get relegated (Ainsworth is likely to be sacked in the next couple of weeks and we'll see what happens then). Bazunu can't be blamed for the goal - he was in the right position and Hugill hit the perfect lob. You are right about the rest - although I do think O'Shea will be fine - he came on as a sub yesterday and did okay - he was outpaced by Sterling for the last goal (no big crime for a CB), but O'Shea did get back and nearly blocked the shot.

[tommy_c12000]

Oh and Knights Bristol continue to drop down the table..

Fergie time vs Liverpool, he starts. Been below his usual standards in the past 3 games, recovering from that illness it seems. Hopefully he can rescue a poor weekend for the young Irish!

[tommy_c12000]

I guess to round things out a tad bit, Garcia McNulty continues to start with PEC Zwolle (lost to Feyenoord today), Jake O’Brien starts again for bottom of the table Lyon against Lorient…would be great if they turned the corner on O’Brien’s watch. Parrott still without any starts for Excelsior, subbed on second half yesterday. Abankwah continues Charlton wilderness, after two disastrous games having being played out of position.

[JR89]

Szmodics called up to the senior squad. No mention of any injuries in the FAI tweet.

[JR89]

Seems they've edited the tweet or deleted the original tweet to include he's replaced the injured Aaron Connolly in the squad.

[weldoninhio]

Szmodics called up to the senior squad. No mention of any injuries in the FAI tweet.

But he doesn't even know how we play!!

[pineapple stu]

Szmodics called up to the senior squad. No mention of any injuries in the FAI tweet.
Victory is assured! :p